The bunka rounds out the Tsunehisa VG10 Hammered Damascus line with a shape this collection did not have before: an angled, reverse tanto tip on a general purpose blade, built with the same tsuchime (hammered) texture and suminagashi (flowing water) Damascus cladding that makes the rest of the line stand out. The combination gives the blade both functional and visual qualities that most knives in this price range do not offer together. The hammered surface reduces food sticking during cutting, a practical benefit on a blade that sees high volume vegetable and protein work. The Damascus pattern beneath is unique to each knife. VG10 stainless steel at the core provides solid edge retention and low maintenance performance that suits a knife this visually distinctive, you want to use it, and VG10 rewards daily use.
Bunka translates loosely to culture knife, and the shape splits the difference between a santoku and a kiritsuke: a flat enough profile for push cutting and good knuckle clearance like a santoku, paired with a pointed, angled tip that handles detail work and precise tip cuts more capably than a rounded santoku point allows. The oval sandalwood handle with a black pakka wood ferrule and Tokyo style machi gap is a refined pairing for this level of blade finish. At 4.7 oz, it is balanced and comfortable through extended prep sessions.
Care Instructions: VG10 is a stainless steel, low maintenance and resistant to corrosion. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher, bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Sharpen on quality water stones and strop regularly. The hammered surface requires no special maintenance.
Bunka translates loosely to culture knife, and the shape splits the difference between a santoku and a kiritsuke: a flat enough profile for push cutting and good knuckle clearance like a santoku, paired with a pointed, angled tip that handles detail work and precise tip cuts more capably than a rounded santoku point allows. The oval sandalwood handle with a black pakka wood ferrule and Tokyo style machi gap is a refined pairing for this level of blade finish. At 4.7 oz, it is balanced and comfortable through extended prep sessions.
Care Instructions: VG10 is a stainless steel, low maintenance and resistant to corrosion. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher, bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Sharpen on quality water stones and strop regularly. The hammered surface requires no special maintenance.
- Brand: Tsunehisa
- Location: Tosa, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: VG10 Stainless Steel
- Cladding: Stainless Damascus
- Finish: Tsuchime (Hammered) Damascus
- Edge Grind: Even
- Handle: Oval Sandalwood
- Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood
- Gapped Machi: Tokyo Style (See Photos)
- Weight: 4.7 oz (134 g)
- Blade Length: 187 mm
- Total Length: 325 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
- Blade Height: 46 mm
